Science+Stuff

By. Rachel Phillips Here you will find some helpful tips and new technology tools to help you keep your students excited and engaged in all of your science lessons!
 * Science Stuff **

**  Virtual Experiments. **With the invention of so many exciting technology tools it is our job as teachers to introduce our students to all the new learning opportunities that are out there, one of which is virtual experiments. Computer programs such as Sniffy Lite allow students to perform experiments that they would not normally be able to do in a regular classroom setting. The Sniffy Lite program lets psychology students experiment on Sniffy the rat. A virtual rat that behaves just as a normal rat would in a Hopper Box. With this box students can condition Sniffy to perform several tasks in order to learn about learning and behaviorism. follow this link to learn more about Sniffy Programs.. []

 **Google Earth.** Google Earth is an online tool that allows teachers to take their students on a virtual tour of Earth, Mars, the Moon, and even the stars! Teachers can fly their students to any part of the globe and show them 3D buildings, imagery, and terrain. You can find cities, places, and even local businesses. Teaching a lesson about Mars? Take your students on a class trip! You can show them all the exciting features of Mars right from your computer screen. View images downloaded by NASA just hours ago, in the Live from Mars layer. Take an interactive tour of Mars, narrated by Public Radio's Ira Flatow or Bill Nye the Science Guy. View 3D rover models and follow their tracks to see high-resolution 360-degree panoramas. Even search for famous Martian landmarks, such as the Face on Mars or Olympus Mons. These are just a few examples of the almost endless possibilities on Google Earth. Want to learn more? Check it out.. []

** Apple Apps .**An app (short for application) is a downloadable program for your apple iphone, ipod, or ipad. As these apple devices become more and more affordable we are seeing a great rise in their use in the classroom. There are millions of apps available in the app store and more are added everyday. There are several great apps that can be useful tools to a science classroom. Some free apps include.. 3D Cell Where students can Learn about the cell and all its structures using this 3D Cell application tool. Students have the ability to rotate the cell 360 degrees and zoom in on any cell structure. They can even visit the cell structure screen and learn more about how each structure functions. Chemistry Formula Practice Lite:Chemistry formulas Practice stimulate students’ mastery of the fundamental skill of naming compounds and writing formulas. These are just a few examples of the great apple innovations available for teachers. If you want to find out more about the free science apps that are out there, check out this website.. []

 **SMARTboards.** Join millions of students and teachers around the world who use the SMARTboard interactive whiteboard to help improve learning outcomes. Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard lets you deliver dynamic lessons, write notes in digital ink, and save your work – all with the simple touch of a finger. Using touch gestures, students can interact with lesson content in new and exciting ways, which gives them a deeper, more interactive learning experience. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">To learn more visit [|www.smarttech.com]



<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> **TeacherTube**. TeacherTube is an online compilation of thousands of educational videos available to stream through the web right to a classroom computer. These videos can be used to incorporate into lessons, powerpoint slides, or even be played on an interactive SMARTboard. The goal of TeacherTube is to provide an online community for sharing instructional videos. It was created to fill the need for a more educationally focused, safe venues for teachers, schools, and home learners. It is a site to provide anytime, anywhere professional development with teachers teaching teachers. As well, it is a site where teachers can post videos designed for students to view in order to learn a concept or skill. TeacherTube community members are a major part of the evolution of the site. Members are encouraged to not only upload educationally relevant videos, but also to make constructive comments and use the rating system to show appreciation for videos of value to one as an educator or learner. Users also have the ability to preserve the integrity of the site by flagging inappropriate videos. TeacherTube staff review flagged sites and will remove any inappropriate posts. Most importantly this website is free for EVERYONE! <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Check it out.. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">[|www.teachertube.com]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> **SMARTtable.** The SMART table was developed by the creators of the SMARTboard. It is an interactive learning center, where work and play come together. SMART Table is the first multitouch, multiuser interactive learning center that allows groups of early education students to work simultaneously on one surface. The center's interface is so intuitive that even young students can start using it without instruction. SMART Table provides increased flexibility, both in terms of content and teaching style. Thanks to the SMART Table Toolkit, a resource that comes with SMART Table, you can create an almost limitless supply of activities for your interactive learning center. The toolkit helps you customize ready-made activities and create new ones. As students learn, you can refine and redesign activities to keep them challenged and engaged. Learn more about the SMART table by visiting the Smart Tech website listed above.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">** CyberPad **. For those science teachers that are teaching more advanced stages of science such as chemistry or physics a great suggestion for your students isthe CyberPad.The CyberPad is the ultimate notepad for anyone and everyone that takes notes. It is the only solution that links handwritten notes and graphics to the PC, providing a digital reproduction for future reference. With the bundled software, users can convert their handwriting into digital text. An optional SD slot makes it perfect for additional storage. You can easily view, edit, organize and email your handwritten notes on your computer. The CyberPad runs about $200.00 but is an excellent tool and students can reuse it over and over again. This tool would not only help them in your class but they could take it with them to college and beyond! If you are intersted in learning more about the CyberPad visit their website at.. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: justify;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">** Big Huge Labs .** Big Huge Labs is a website that allows you to create professional looking items such as posters, magazine covers, trading cards, puzzles and more from photos or other images that you would like. This is a great way to create some fun and interesting visuals to use in your classroom. You could make trading cards to explain different animals for your biology class, or even use a photo model of a cell to create a jigsaw puzzle for your students to practice. The possibilites for visuals are endless as long as you have an image or photo to use! <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Visit [|www.bighugelabs.com] to get started!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Animoto.** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Looking for a way to spice up your lesson? Why not create a custom video slide show to get your students involved and excited to learn more! Animoto is a web site where teachers can take pictures, video clips, and even their own music or recording, and using one of Animoto's pre made themes, create a custom made video just for them. Teacher's have the option to insert their own music, photos, and videos, or use one of the many that Animoto provides. This is a great way to introduce a new lesson, or just help to further emphasize the topic at hand. To learn more about Animoto visit.. <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">[|www.animoto.com]

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;"> **Edublogs**. Edublogs is an online community where teachers can create & manage student & teacher blogs, quickly customize designs and include videos, photos & podcasts - it's safe, easy and secure. Since 2005, Edublogs has been hosting blogs and providing custom blogging platforms to individual teachers, school districts and hundreds of thousands of students. They’ve grown to become the largest, most trusted, best supported and widely used way for teachers and students to engage with the world of blogging.